Author |
Topic: Find the RIGHT doc.... (Read 312 times) |
|
BarbaraD
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
Hugs to ya
Gender: 
Posts: 5164
|
 |
Find the RIGHT doc....
« on: Jun 6th, 2006, 8:11am » |
 Quote  Modify
|
Lately I've been reading so much about people having trouble with their Primary Docs.
For goodness sakes - Interview your doctor. He's PRACTICING and doesn't know everything. Find one who's willing to LEARN about CH.
According to my Primary doc (who is wonderful by the way), in med school they just got a "little" learning on headaches, and a lot has changed since he was in med school. He remembers "histamine" headaches being discussed, but over the years I've given him all that I know on CH and he's listened to me. If I call and need something, he's there for me. He's watched me go thru a hit and knows when I say I need something I DO!
But to just go to the doc and let HIM/HER TELL you things and not speak up for yourself is not the way to get help. YOU have to be a part of the solution. YOU know how you feel - the doc doesn't. YOU know what you need (if you've read the boards) - the DOC is PRACTICING!
If you find a doc who knows EVERYTHING - get OUT immediately and find another one.
But I'm serious as a train wreck about this one -- INTERVIEW the doc and find out if he/she is willing to listen to YOU. If not keep looking until you find one who is.
My Primary doc is so willing to learn - he INTERVIEWED my neuro (after I"d refused to go to another neuro) and snuck him in on me. That was over 10 years ago and the neuro has been great also.
I guess what I'm trying to say is -- find a doc who gives a rip. You may have to go thru a bunch before you hit on the right one, but keep looking till you do. THEN you'll get the help you need.
Hugs BD
|
|
 IP Logged |
What don't kill ya, Makes ya stonger!
|
|
|
pattik
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
 
Gender:
Posts: 2404
|
|
Re: Find the RIGHT doc....
« Reply #1 on: Jun 6th, 2006, 8:51am » |
Quote Modify
|
Well said, Barbara. It amazes me how many people I know can spend hours or days or even months shopping around to get just the right outfit, car, house, etc. But when it comes to one of the most important things we spend money on, our health, we still treat it like we must take what we get without question. Medicine unfortunately has turned into a business, so why not treat it like the business it has become and be discerning shoppers?
|
|
IP Logged |
The voyage of discovery is not about seeking new landscapes, it's about having new eyes--Marcel Proust
|
|
|
MJ
New Board Hall of Famer
Gender: 
Posts: 911
|
|
Re: Find the RIGHT doc....
« Reply #2 on: Jun 6th, 2006, 11:23am » |
Quote Modify
|
Well said Barbara and Pattick.
CH is and should be a customer driven affliction.
Many of us appear to have very differing symptoms and we dont allways follow textbook cases.
It is imperative to help direct your own treatment and finding a doc who listens and shares is step one.
|
|
IP Logged |
MJ
|
|
|
drivin_blind
New Board Junior
I love YaBB 1G - SP1!
Gender:
Posts: 100
|
|
Re: Find the RIGHT doc....
« Reply #3 on: Jun 6th, 2006, 12:10pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Dr's can be intimidating. Just remember one thing. They are working for you. Not the other way around. You (or more likely your insurance co.) are paying them big bucks. If someone was remodeling your kitchen you would feel compelled to give your opinion. You are probably paying more to your Dr. than to the carpenters. Speak up! Demand to know. That's my .02
|
|
IP Logged |
The true measure of a hero is when a man lays down his life with the knowledge that those he saves....will never know.
|
|
|
The mad viking
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
Always Look on The Bright Side of Life
Gender:
Posts: 3135
|
|
Re: Find the RIGHT doc....
« Reply #4 on: Jun 6th, 2006, 12:14pm » |
Quote Modify
|
according to my GP here in Norway he told me some time ago that they have around 4,5 hours about general headaches in all the years they are studying?
WTF can you learn beside the names on the different headaches in "all" that time folks
Svenn
|
|
IP Logged |
Always Look on The Bright Side of Life
|
|
|
Charlotte
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
I love YaBB 1G - SP1!
Gender:
Posts: 1932
|
|
Re: Find the RIGHT doc....
« Reply #6 on: Jun 6th, 2006, 3:35pm » |
Quote Modify
|
I will always be grateful that you guys told me to change dr's.
The new guy cares. He is willing to have conversations by e-mail and read articles. He is even willing to disagree and then change his mind. Most importantly, he wants to help.
Charlotte
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
BarbaraD
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
Hugs to ya
Gender:
Posts: 5164
|
|
Re: Find the RIGHT doc....
« Reply #7 on: Jun 7th, 2006, 7:28am » |
Quote Modify
|
My PCP and neuro both visit this site occasionally. My PCP got choked up when I said nice things about him on here (I don't usually say nice things to his face - I fuss a lot).
But the thing is THEY CARE enough to see what we're going thru.
Hugs BD
|
|
IP Logged |
What don't kill ya, Makes ya stonger!
|
|
|
Bob_Johnson
New Board Hall of Famer
Gender:
Posts: 1796
|
|
Re: Find the RIGHT doc....
« Reply #8 on: Jun 7th, 2006, 7:36am » |
Quote Modify
|
Well said!
----------------
1. Search the OUCH site (button on left) for a list of recommended M.D.s.
2. Yellow Pages phone book: look for "Headache Clinics" in the M.D. section and look under "neurologist" where some docs will list speciality areas of practice.
3. Call your hospital/medical center. They often have an office to assist in finding a physician. You may have to ask for the social worker/patient advocate.
4. http://www.achenet.org/physicians/ On-line screen to find a physician.
5. http://www.headaches.org/consumer/index.html Call 1-800-643-5552; they will send a list of M.D.s for your state.I suggest using this source for several reasons: first, we have read several messages from people who, even seeing neurologists, are unhappy with the quality of care and ATTITUDES they have encountered; second, the clinical director of the Jefferson (Philadelphia) Headache Clinic said, in late 1999, that upwards of 40%+ of U.S. doctors have poor training in treating headache and/or hold attitudes about headache ("hysterical female disorder" which block them from sympathetic and effective work with the patient; third, it's necessary to find a doctor who has experience, skill, and a set of attitudes which give hope of success. This is the best method I know of to find such a physician.
|
|
IP Logged |
Bob Johnson
|
|
|
|
|
|
Home
Help
Search
Members
Member Map
Login
Register
Reply
Notify of replies
Send Topic
Print
test rss